Wildlife Habitat Plan & Pollinator habitat workshop August 3 2017

How to obtain 1-D-1 productivity valuation through wildlife management or beekeeping

The Eligibility Requirements to Obtain a Wildlife Valuation as set by TPWD Must qualify for ag valuation in order to be considered for a wildlife valuation 15 acres minimum (93% as recommended by TPWD and adopted by BOD) Must be doing at least 3 of the 7 Wildlife Management Practices

Qualifying practices for wildlife management Habitat control Erosion control Predator control PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLIES OF WATER PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLIES OF FOOD PROVIDING SHELTERS and MAKING CENSUS COUNTS TO DETERIME POPULATION

HABITAT CONTROL includes things like Grazing management(agriculture and wildlife management are not mutually exclusive) Brush management Wetland enhancement

EROSION CONTROL could include Pond construction or repair Gully shaping Water diversion

PREDATOR CONTROL all the usual suspects plus

SUPPLEMENTAL WATER can be provided indifferent ways like Marsh/Wetland Restoration or Development Wildlife watering facilities

SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD could include Feeders Food plots Managing pastures and or over seeding

PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL SHELTER with Nesting boxes Snags Deferred mowing

CENSUS COUNTS Deer stand counts Spotlight counts Harvest data

How do I get started??? It starts with ag and then there is a plan…….

Agricultural appraisal applies to land not other property that may be connected (barns, sheds, etc) The land must be principally devoted to agricultural use The land must be devoted to an agricultural use to the degree of intensity that is typical in our area The land must have been used principally for agriculture for any five of the proceeding seven years The property owner must file a valid application A new application is required if there is a change of ownership( a name change on the title ) change of the amount of acres ( splits ,combines or corrections) or requested by the Chief Appraiser Once a property is in ag it is eligible to be converted to wildlife

What about the annual report? Due by April 30th Includes details about the wildlife management practices of the previous year. A lot of people use the TPWD form. Many include receipts and pictures.

What about bees?

Beekeeping Basics Beekeeping is an agricultural use and shall qualify for agricultural use productivity valuation if used for pollination or for the production of human food or other tangible products having a commercial value. (Sec. 23.51(2) Tax Code) The State of Texas has set a minimum of 5 acres and a maximum of 20 acres to qualify beekeeping as an agricultural use. Burleson County Appraisal District’s degree of intensity standard if set at a minimum of 5 acres and 6 colonies. The minimum degree of intensity was established using Section 131.001 Texas Agriculture Code’s definition of an apiary. Any additional colony is required for each additional 2.5 acres. Minimum hive requirement for 20 acres is 12.

Questions?

Kim Orr, Chief Appraiser korr@burlesonappraisal.com Damon Daughtry, Deputy Chief ddaughtry@burlesonappraisal.com Websites www.burlesonappraisal.com www.comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ Our office is at 111 E. Fawn, but we tell people it is behind the Fire Station because that is the easiest way to find us. Burleson County Appraisal District PO Box 1000 Caldwell, Texas 77836 Phone 979-567-2318 Fax 979-567-2368

Thank You